‘Dancing with the Stars’ Standout Jaleel White Slams Reports of Abuse By Ex-Girlfriend

‘Dancing with the Stars’ contestant Jaleel White, who once played nerdy Steve Urkel on the sitcom ‘Family Matters,’ is dealing with some rather sticky family matters of his own after his ex-girlfriend went public with allegations that the actor was once abusive to her.

White, though, isn’t taking the matter lying down.

Bridget Hardy, who’s the mother of White’s young daughter, told Star magazine that Jaleel was “verbally and physically” abusive two years ago — claims he says were “swiftly dismissed” by authorities at the time.

In a statement to E! News, White said, “The allegations made against me back in 2010 have suspiciously resurfaced in time to coincide with my new show on Syfy and ‘Dancing With the Stars’ … Bridget Hardy has consistently shown a knack for timing throughout our child custody disputes.”

His rep says he hasn’t physically seen Hardy in six months and only communicates with her by email, and White adds he’s “co-parented in peace and compliance with the law for over two years now.”

He goes on to describe some of the circumstances of the former couple’s tumultuous relationship, which seemed to sour when Hardy tried to move his daughter to another state.

“Ms. Hardy’s attempts at greater sums of money above and beyond child support have continued now for two years,” he says, adding, “I guess my most recent successes have been too much for her to stomach. I’m assuming I have not received her votes these past Monday nights.”

In conclusion, he said, “I ask for your sensitivity during this time. I can assure all of my fans this is only residue from a child custody matter.”